I see some incredible bucks posted here and I know a lot are from high fences or areas that feed a lot of protein. My little 160 acres will never produce or see bucks like that but when I see a buck like this on my place I'm excited. This will be my buck next season.

I first saw him in late December 2015. He was around for a few weeks, only at night. We did not see him in 2016. He showed again in late December 2017 and came by nightly through February 18, 2018. He finally managed to stay past dawn and I was able to get some daylight pictures. He's going to be a hard one to get ahead of. I have pictures of several bucks that leave when he shows up. Other bucks are giving way to his path when they do come in. They constantly watch him.

So, what do you think of Christmas? What do you think he will age and score? The first picture is from December 31, 2017.

I'm thinking wind and temperatures! He, like most of the mature ones, don't show up until the temps are cold by my standards.

I have a few mid December pics that several people said make them think he's much older, but he could be just worn down from the rut. In fact the first 3 pics look like he's a lot older - backbone, thin hips, etc. He's made a nice comeback.

I'm thinking wind and temperatures! He, like most of the mature ones, don't show up until the temps are cold by my standards.

I have a few mid December pics that several people said make them think he's much older, but he could be just worn down from the rut. He's made a nice comeback.

Yep. And if you see he is patterned to eat corn at night, try to set your throw times to keep as much corn as possible off the ground in the dark hours. Give him a reason to come out in the daylight. We're gonna get this guy on the ground for you.

He's bedding on the neighbor's place, but the neighbor only has 125 acres. My neighbor is a gun hunter and he's happy to get a legal buck opening weekend. Then he's done. I suspect this buck is spending the spring - early fall about a mile away in the river bottoms with the wheat and corn fields. When the gun hunters start up, he, like most bucks moves into our area.

We are going to plant a 2 acre food plot this fall about 200 yards from where these pictures were taken. We are building a fence this month to keep the hogs out.

Don't think just because you have a small place you can't get big bucks. This guy came off my 65 acres. I was at the right place and right time to take him. It wasn't under a feeder either. He was just walking down a path grazing when I got him.

post mature and mid 140's. he lacks tine length, but his frame is really good. score is irrelevant on a buck like that IMO. A buck with that age is a true trophy regardless of headgear. The good headgear is just a bonus! good luck getting him!

post mature and mid 140's. he lacks tine length, but his frame is really good. score is irrelevant on a buck like that IMO. A buck with that age is a true trophy regardless of headgear. The good headgear is just a bonus! good luck getting him!

post mature and mid 140's. he lacks tine length, but his frame is really good. score is irrelevant on a buck like that IMO. A buck with that age is a true trophy regardless of headgear. The good headgear is just a bonus! good luck getting him!